India on the rise

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India has secured only their
second Test series win over South Africa after defeating the
tourists by eight-wickets in the second Test at Kolkata. The result has lifted
Indias rating to their second highest level in history, while
South Africa has barely retained second place in the
ratings.

A
weaker than usual South Africa side arrived in India without three
of their key players.
Opener Herschelle Gibbs and spinner Nicky Boje refused to tour
India without assurances that they would not be detained or
questioned by Indian police. Both players had been implicated
in the Hansie Cronje match-fixing saga dating back to the last tour
in 2000. Experienced
keeper Mark Boucher was dropped for newcomer Thami Tsolekile. Tsolekile made only 25 runs
at an average of 8 during the series during the series.

South
Africa, was thus touring one of the more difficult destinations
while missing one-quarter of their normal team. India, by comparison, was at full
strength, even if Tendulkar was short of form.

The
first Test at Kanpur saw a long occupation of the crease combined
with very slow scoring rates by South Africa. The draw was inevitable once
South Africa had taken two and a half days to make 510 runs and
then failed to limit India and enforce a follow on.

The
second Test saw India take a valuable first innings lead of 106
runs. After spinning
through the tourists second innings, India was left with a
modest run chase of 117 runs with five hours of play
remaining. India lost
only two wickets on the way to victory.

Indias
win is their second series victory in the six Test-series that have
been played between the nations. India last defeated South Africa
during the 1996 tour of the subcontinent. In all, India has won only three
Tests, lost seven and drawn six against South Africa.

As
a result of this series, Indias rating has increased to 1073
points. India retains
fifth place in the ratings, but has narrowed fourth placed
Pakistans lead to just three ratings points. India is now only one point short
of their highest rating in history, set in February 1980 after they
defeated Pakistan.

India
will have the opportunity in mid December to set their highest
rating in history. All
India requires is series whitewash in the two Test series against
Bangladesh. Given that
India now has a 286 rating point lead over Bangladesh, only rain
would seem likely to prevent such a result. A series whitewash would also see
India overtake Pakistan to claim fourth place in the rankings. India was last ranked
fourth in January 1992.

The
outcome of the Indian tour is less positive for South Africa. South Africa has now lost
two consecutive Test series. South Africa has lost two
consecutive Test series on only one other occasion since their
return from isolation.
In 200102, South
Africa lost to Australia in a home and away set of Test
series.

South
Africas rating has now declined to 1126 points. That is South Africas
lowest rating since their whitewash of West Indies in January
1999. South Africa has
retained second place in the rankings, but only just. They now lead third placed
England by only one rating point.

South
Africa has held second place in the ratings since Australia stormed
past them in January 2000. Since 1999, South Africas
rating has fluctuated within a relatively tight 32-point band, from
a low of 1133 points to an all time national record high of 1165
points, set in May 2003.

From
2000 onwards, South Africas lead over the third ranked team
has been extremely comfortable  usually over 80 ratings
points. However, since
England overtook Pakistan to claim third place in February 2004,
England has consistently narrowed the gap to South
Africa.

South
Africa next faces a five Test series against the touring English
side. The series is,
in effect, a battle for second place in the rankings. With the two nations rated
virtually the same, the ratings system would suggest a drawn series
would occur. However,
looking at the trends over the last two years, it would seem more
likely that England would win the series and claim second
place. South Africa
will be hoping the return of the at least Gibbs and Boje may avert
that outcome.